On April 15, 2019, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France suffered from a devastating fire that burned down its spire and left areas inside the church exposed. The cathedral has been a popular tourist attraction and a beacon of Catholicism since its construction in 1163.

Luckily, officials are reporting that very little damage was done to the interior of the church, which was home to precious Catholic relics and artworks dating all the way back to the church’s construction. The windows, which featured stained glass pictures, along with the bell towers, have been reported to be practically untouched by the flames.

Although the spire, an iconic part of the building that was among the most recognizable aspects of the church along with the bell towers, popularized by The Hunchback of Notre Dame, was completely destroyed, the sculptures surrounding it were saved the week before so that the spire could be renovated.  

Although still uncertain, it is probable that the cause of the fire was accidental, likely from an electrical issue. At the time of the fire, Notre Dame was under renovations, and it is likely that an issue with wiring caused the fire to start. However, definitive answers have yet to be released, and in the meantime, France is mourning its beloved monument that represents the religion of  41% of its population between 18 to 30 years of age. As of now, the restoration efforts have received millions from donors, and Paris is being kept in the thoughts of Catholics all over the world.